STACK 
ANNEX 


073 
07S 


B 

0 
0 
0 

0 
0 
3 

0 
6 

4 


e> 


/^^^ 


Q^- 


ho) 


—OF— 

BIBLE    AND   TALMUD 

QUINTESSENCE     OF   JEWISH    MORALS 
AND  ETHICS,  FOR  HOME  AND 
SCHOOL. 

— BY — 

D.  A.  FRIEDMAN. 


Published  by  the 
PHILADELHIA  HEBREW  FREE  SCHOOL 
314  Catharine  Street. 
5661-1901. 


A.  AYartelsky  &  Co.  Printers. 
516  Bainbridge  St.,  Philadelphia,  Pa 


t 


Copyrighted,  Washington. 
February,  11)01. 

BY 

D.  A.  FRIEDMAN, 


t* 


ENDORSEMENTS  i 


I  take  pleasure  In  endorsino  Mr.  I). 
A.  P^riednian's  little  book.  "Maxims  and 
Proxerbs  of  Bible  and  Talmud,"  which 
contains  a  very  carefully  chosen  selection 
of  ethical  principles,  expressed  in  practical 
rules  of  conduct,  and  mioht  well  ser\  e  for 
home  study  and  as  a  text  book  in  religious 
schools, 

Phila..  March  i8.  1901. 

M.     JASIROW. 

2117464 


ENDORSEMENTS. 


]>'Di''B  ,N  .1  n"iD  oi^K'.-i    Djrn   3->n  ^j-in^   td:3 
D^W'ioT  D'vinjn  r"iDD3  mn^  D'JJJ'    ht   i^yc   nxnn  idd 
mri'D  I*  EHi    ,n'i2v.i  micDn  nu'ivpo  ^33  inn  -ik's 
Tnn     -ijn^    D'ip*n     v-iDDn   Npny?^c<i   N^ona  "inDDn 
1120  ^vn^   |noiN  c)*Din  nny    .nnni  nir\  -j-n  ijy  cjnnn 

vinnDi    .ipmoi  ^"dik*d  121  n^  nnn^D  ht^*  imcD  -i3ni) 
"M  niD^  HN  D-p^  "nnNi'i  ny"'n  n^icd  nih  d:  D^mipn 

.p  2^  ND^n  -nw\  n  d  no"n  nD"i2D  I'poyn  ->dk'  nw-i^i  i^ys 

.x^D^yi.^i5D  pD'in  ijwsntojMiyi? 


My  tVieiul  Rev.  D.  A.  Friedman  is  well 
known  as  an  author  among  our  bretliern  in 
Russia  and  in  this  country  for  many  years.  He 
wrote  many  books  ot  various  kinds  of  Hebrew 
literature,  especialy  of  a  pedagoguic  and  educa- 
tional character,  which  are  now  in  use  in  many 
Hebrew  schools.  His  present  book,  ''Maxims 
and  Proverbs  of  Bible  and  Talmud"  is  a 
treasure  of  Jewish  science  and  is  useful  to  every= 
one.  I  express  my  thanks  to  the  author  for  his 
noble  work  and  wish  him  success. 

B.  L.  LEVINTHAL, 

Rabbi  of  the  United  Orthodox  Congregations  of 

Philadelphia. 


i 


INDEX- 


PAGK. 

The  WouiaJi  1  and  25 

Love  2  '^  26 

The  Wife  3  -'  29 

P.irents  an.l  Chihlreii  4  '^  31 

Instruction  5 

\Vis<h;in  [] 

Advice  8  '^  62 

Talking  9 

Diligence  10    ^^  62 

Praying  11  '^  38 

Eating  and  Drinking  12  ^'  40 

Charity  13  ^^  43 

Rigliteonsness  14  '^  59 

Wealtli  and  Poverty  16  '^58 

Providence  17  '^  57 

Honesty  18  '^  54 

Fi'ien  Isbip  19 

Slander  20  '^  50 

Wratli  22  "  51 

Pride  and  Hund)leness  23  '^  52 

Trutli  and  Falsehood  23  '^  46 

Marriage  27 

Study  and  Students  34 


^4 


INDEX 

(notbes  42 

Liibor  42 

Association  46 

Fl;ittery  and  Hypocrisy  53 

Honor  61 

Leader  and  Community  63 

Israel  64 

Miscellaneous  65 

Notes  67 

MAQIUS 

Linear   School  Bible 

A  new  and  easy  method    for  popularizing 

the  study   of  the  Old  Testament  In  Its  original 
language  by  means  of  a  Linear  translation. 

Price  of  the  book  of  Genesis,  bound  in  cloth  an«l  post 
paid,    $!J.0(». 


Address: 


HEBREW    FREE    SCHOOL 

314     C.VTHARIXE    STREET 

J'lIILADELPniA.  PA. 


4 


t 


u 


PEOYEEBS  OF  THE  BIBLE  1 

THE  WOMAN. 

— o — 

1.  The  wise  woman  buildetli  her  house, 
but  the  foolish  ]3ulleth  it  clown  with  her  own 
hands.     {Prov,  xiv  1.) 

2.  A  virtuous  woman  is  a  crown  to  her 
husband,  but  she  that  brings  shame  is  as  rotten- 
ness in  his  bones,     (Ibid,  xii,  4-) 

3.  As  a  golden  ring  in  a  swine's  snout,  so 
is  a  handsome  woman  which  is  without  discre- 
tion.    {Ibid,  xi,  22,) 

4.  Grace  is  false,  beauty  is  A^ain,  but  a  wo. 
man  that  feareth  God,  she  shall  be  praised. 
(^Ibid,  xxxi,  30^) 

5.  A  gracious  woman  retaineth  honor  as 
diligent  men  retain  riches,     {ibid,  xi,  16.) 

6.  A  continual  dropping  on  a  rainy  day 
and  a  (ontentious  woman  are  alike,  (Ibid, 
xxviii,  15,) 

7.  It  is  better  to  dwell  in  a  corner  of  a 
roof  than  with  a  quarrelsome  woman  in  a  roomy 
house.     (Ibid,  xxi,  9.) 

8.  One  man  among  a  thousand  did  I  find. 


■A 


PKOVEKTJS  OF 


but  51   woman   ainoiii;'   all   tliese  did   I   not  find 


LOVE. 

— o — 

1.  Hatred  stirreth  up  strifes;  but  love 
coveretli  all  sius.     {Prov.  x,  i/.) 

2.  Better  is  a  dinner  of  herbs  where   love 
is   than   a  stall-fed   ox   and   hatred    therewith 
{Ibid,  XV,  17,) 

,3.  He  that  coveretli  a  transgression  seeketh 
love;  bur  he  that  repeateth  a  matter  separateth 
confident  friends^     {Ibid,  xvii,  P,) 

1.  Strong  as  death  is  love;  its  heat  is  the 
heat  of  fire — a  flame  of  God.  Many  waters  are 
not  able  to  quench  love,  nor  can  the  rivers  flood 
it  away.     (>o/.  Song,   viu,  6,) 

X^ ^^^ 4 


THE     BIBLE 


-n 


THE   WIFE. 

— o — 

1.  Let  thy  fountain  be  blessed;  and  re- 
joice witli  the  wife  of  thy  youtli.  The  lovely 
gazelle  and  the  gracefnl  chamois:  Let  her 
bosom  satisfy  thee  at  all  times,  and  be  thou 
ravished  always  with  her  love.   {Prov.   v,   78 J9) 

2.  Whoso  hath  found  a  good  wife  hath 
found  happiness,  and  hath  obtained  favor  from 
the  Lord.      (Ibid,  xviii,  22,) 

3.  House  and  wealth  are  an  inheritance 
from  fathers;  but  an  intelligent  wife  is  from  the 
Lord.     (Ihid,   xix,  JU^) 

4.  Enjoy  life  with  the  wife  whom  thou 
lovest  all  the  days  of  the  vanity  which.  God  hath 
given  thee  under  the  sun,  for  this  is  thy  portion 
in  this  life  and  in  thy  toil  which  thou  toilest 
under  the  sun.     (Eccles,  ix,  9,) 


u 


t 


PROVERBS     OF 


PARENTS  AND  CHILDREN. 

— o — 

1.  A  wise  son  niaketh  a  glad  father;  but 
a  foolish  soil  is  the  grief  of  his  mother.     (Frov, 

X,    1.) 

2.  A  fool  despiseth  his  father's  instruc- 
tion, but  he  that  regardeth  reproof  is  pru 
dent.      (Ihitl,  XV,  5.) 

3.  Children's  children  are  the  crown  of 
old  men,  and  the  glory  of  children  are  their 
tathers.     {Ihid,   xvii,  6.) 

4.  Whoso  robbeth  his  father  or  his 
mother  and  saith,  it  is  no  transgression;  the 
same  is  a  companion  of  a  destroyer,  {Ibid, 
xxviii,  24-.) 

5.  He  that  spareth  his  rod  hateth  his  son; 
but  he  that  loveth  him  chastiseth  him  betimes, 
{Ibid,  xiii,  24,) 

6.  Train  up  the  lad  in  accordance  with  his 
course.  Even  when  he  groweth  old  wall  not 
depart  from  it.      (/6i'^,  xxii,   6,) 

7.  Withold  not  correction  from  a  lad;  for 

4* -4 


THE  BIBLE 


il  tbou  beatest  him  with  the  rod  he  will  not 
die.  Thou  shalt  beut  him  with  the  rod  and 
shall    deliver  his    soul  from    hell.   [Ibid,  xxiii, 

8.  Correct  thy  son  and  he  will  give  thee 
rest:  yea,  he  will  give  delight  unto  thy  soul. 
{Ibid,  xxiXj   17,) 

c*. 

IXSTRUCTIOX. 

— o — 

1.  Whoso  loveth  instruction  loveth 
knowledge  5  but  he  that  hateth  reproof,  is 
brutish.      (Prov,  xii,   b.) 

2.  Poverty  and  shame  shall  be  to  him 
that  rejected  Instruction,  but  he  that  regardeth 
reproof  shall  be  honored.     (^Ibid,  xiii,   IS,) 

3.  Instruction  is  grievous  unto  him  that 
forsaketh  the  right  way.  He  that  hateth  re- 
proof shall   die.      (Ibid,  xv,  10,) 

4.  A  scorner  loA^eth  not  one  that  re= 
j)roveth  him;  neither  will  he  go  unto  the  wise. 
(Ibid,   12,) 


t 


PROVERBS      OF 


u- 


5  He  that  correcteth  a  scorner  aquireth 
for  himself  abuse,  and  he  that  reproveth  the 
wicked  getteth  himself  a  blemish.  Give  instruct- 
ion to  the  wise  and  he  will  become  yet  wiser, 
teach  a  just  man  and  he  will  increase  in  loarnino:. 
(Ibid  ix,  8-9.) 

6.  It  is  better  to  hear  the  rebuke  of  the 
wise,  than  that  a  man  should  hear  the  song  of 
fools.     (Eccles,  vii,  5.) 


WISDOM. 

— o — 

1.  Happy  is  the  man  that  findeth  wisdom; 
for  the  merchandise  of  it  is  better  than  the  mer- 
chandise of  silver,  and  the  gain  thereof  than  fine 
gold.  She  is  dearer  than  i^earls,  aud  all  precious 
things  are  not  equal  unto  her^  (Prov.  iii,  13-15.) 

2.  He  that  Avalketh  with  wise  men  will  be- 
come wise  ;  but  he  that  associateth  with  fools 
will  be  destroyed.     {Ibid,  xiii,  20.) 

3.  The  scorner  seeketh  wisdom  and  findeth 


THE     BIBLE 


it  not ;  butkiiowle.ige    is  easy    to    tJie    man    of 
understanding.     {IbicL  xiv,  6.) 

4.  Let  a  bear,  robbed  of  her  whelps  meet  a 
man  rather  than  a  Icol  in  his  iollv.  (Jbid, 
xvii,  12.) 

5.  A  fool  hath  no  delight  in  understand- 
ing, but  in  making  known  his  own  ideas.  {Ibid, 
xviii.  2.) 

6.  Speak  not  before  the  ears  of  a  fool  ;  for 
he  will  despise  thy  intelligent  words.  ( Ibid 
xxiii,  9.) 

7.  As  a  dog  returneth  to  his  vomit,  so  doth 
a  fool  repeat  to  act  in  his  folly.    (Ibid.  xxvi.  11,) 

8.  Seest  thou  a  man  wise  in  his  own  conceit, 
there  is  more  hojie  of  a  fool  than  of  liim. 
{Ibid,   12.) 

9.  It  is  better  to  liear  the  rebuke  of  a  wise 
than  that  a  man  should  hear  the  song  of  fools. 
For  as  the  crackling  of  tliorns  under  a  pot.  so  is 
the  laugliter  of  a  fool.   {Ecdes,  vii,  o.) 

10.  The  words  of  wise  men  beared  in  quiet 
are  better  than  the  cry  of  him  that  ruleth  among 
fools.    {Ibid.  17.) 


u 


t 


PKOVEP.BS     OF 


11.     Tlie  ])Oor    man's    wisdom    is   despised 
1115(1  his  woi-ds are  not  beared.   (IbicL  ix,  1^,) 


ADVICE. 


1.  Where  no  eounsel  is  the  people  fall  :  but 
in  the  niultitiide  of  counsellors  there  is  safety. 
{Prov.  x\,  18.) 

2.  Without  consulation  phms  are  frust- 
i-ated:  but  througii  multitude  of  counsellors  they 
are  established.    (Ibid,  xv,  22.) 

'^,  Counsel  in  tlie  heart  of  man  is  like  deep 
water  ;  l)ut  a  man  of  understanding  will  draw  it 
ont,   (Ibid,  XX.  5.) 

4.  There  are  many  thoughts  in  a  man's 
heart  :  but  the  counsel  of  the  Lord  alone  will 
stand  firm.   (Ibid,  xix,  21,) 

•  -»r? — <•  ?^ ) — \Z<<.'  • 


^ 


t* 


THE  BIBLE 


TALKING. 

— o — 

1.  In  a  multitude  of  words  transgression 
cannot  be  avoided ;  but  lie  that  refrainetb  his 
lips  is  intelligent.    (Prov.  x.  10.) 

2.  He  that  keepeth  his  mouth  keepeth  his 
life  :  but  he  that  openeth  wide  his  lips  shall  have 
destruction.    (Ibid,  xiii,  3,) 

3.  Even  a  fool,  when  he  keepeth  silence,  is 
counted  wise  ;  he  that  shutteth  his  lips  is  es- 
teemed a  man  of  understanding.   ( Ibid,  xvii,  28. ) 

4.  Death  and  life  are  in  the  power  of  the 
tongue,  and  they  that  love  it,  will  eat  its  fruit. 
(Ibid  xviii,  21.) 

5.  AYhoso  keepeth  his  mouth  and  his 
tongue  keepeth  his  soul  from  troubles.  {Ibid, 
xxi,  23.) 

6.  Let  another  man  praise  thee,  and  not 
thy  own  mouth  ;  a  stranger,  and  not  thy  own 
lips.    (Ibid,  xxvii,  2.) 


t 


10  PROVERBS     OF 


DILIGENCE. 

— o — 

1.  Go  to  the  ant  thou  sluggard  !  consider 
her  ways  and  he  wise :  She  hath  no  prince, 
officer,  or  ruler,  provideth  her  provision  in 
Suuuner,  gathereth  her  food  in  tlie  harvest. 
How  long  wilt  thou  lie  down,  O  sluggard,  when 
wilt  thou  arise  of  thy  sleep?     {Prov.  vi,  6-9.) 

2.  He  that  laboreth  with  an  indolent  hand 
becometh  poor^  but  the  hand  of  the  diligent 
maketh  rich.     (Ibid,  x,  6,) 

3.  The  inteligent  son  gathereth  in  summer 
(in  his  youth);  but  the  shameful  son  sleepeth 
still  in  harvest.     {Ibid,   7.) 

4.  As  vinegar  is  to  the  teeth  aud  smoke  is 
to  the  eyes,  so  is  the  sluggard  to  those  that  send 
him.     (Ihkl,  26,) 

5.  The  sluggard  desireth  and  hath  noth= 
ing;  but  the  diligent  will  be  abundantly  grati- 
fied.     (Ihid,   xiii,  4.) 

0.  He  that  is  slothful  in  his  work  is  a 
brother  to  the  destroyer,     (Ibid,  xviii.  9,) 

■ ^ 4 


r 


THE     BIBLE  11 


7.  Asa  door  tiiriietli  upon  its  hinges,  so 
dotli  tlie  slotliful  upon  liis  bed.  {Ibid,   xxvi,  7^. ) 

S.  Tlie  slotlitnl  liidetli  liis  hand  in  his 
bosom,  it  grieveth  him  to  bring  it  again  to  his 
moutli.      (Ibicl^   Id,) 

9.  He  tliat  tilleth  his  ground  v.ill  have 
plenty  of  bread;  but  he  that  runneth  after  idle 
things  will  have  enough  of  poverty.  (Ihid, 
xxviii.  19.) 

10.  By  much  slothfuhiess  the  building- 
decayed,  and  through  idleness  the  house  drop- 
peth  through.      l^EccIes,  x,   18.) 


PRAYING. 

— o — 

1.  The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  all  those  who 
call  on  him — to  all  who  call  on  him  in  truth. 
(Psalm,   CXLY,  18,) 

2.  The  Lord  is  far  from  the  wicked;  but 
the  prayer  of  the  righteous  doth  he  hear.  {Prov. 
XY,  29.) 


U- 


t 


ll>  PHOVEIMiS     OF 

3.  He  that  tiirnetli  away  liis  oar  fioiu 
liearing  the  law,  even  liis  pra\er  beconicth  an 
aboniination,     {Ibid,  xxviii,  9.) 

4.  And  wlien  ye  spread  forth  yonr  hands 
I  w  ill  withdraw  my  eyes  from  j^on;  yea,  wlien 
ye  make  ever  so  many  pray^ers  I  will  not  hear: 
Yonr  hands  are  fnll  of  blood.  Wash  yonrself, 
make  yonrself  clean,  ])\\t  away  yonr  evil  deeds 
from  before  my  eyes,  cease  to  do  evil,  learn  to 
do  well,  seek  for  jnstice,  relieve  the  oppressed, 
do  jnstice  to  the  fatherless,  plead  for  the  widow. 
{hakih,  i,   15-17.) 

•  '^>Z->      <•  ->) — \Z«'  • 

EATING  A:nJ^D  DRINKIXG, 

— o— 

1.  The  righteons  eateth  to  satisfj^  his  de- 
sire; Init  the  belly  of  the  Avicked  alw^iys  snffer- 
eth  want.     (Prov.   xiii,  25.) 

2.  Eat  not  the  bread  of  a  man  with  an 
evil  eye,  and  do  not  long  for  his  dainty  meats, 
f  jr  as  he  thinketh   in  his  heart    so  is  he.     Eat 


4 


t 


THE  BIBLE  13 


and  drink  saith  he    to  tliee,  but  his  heart  is  not 
with  thee.     {Ibid,  xxiii,   6-7,) 

3,  Be  not  among  wine-bibbers,  among  the 
riotous  eaters  of  fleshy  for  the  drunkard  and  the 
glutton  will  come  to  poverty.      y^Ibid,  20-21, 

4.  Who  hath  woe?  Who  hath  sorrow! 
Who  hath  quarrels'?  Who  hath  complains? 
Who  hath  wounds  without  cause?  Who  has 
redness  of  eyes?  They  that  tarry  late  over  the 
wine:  they  that  come  to  seek  for  mixed  drink. 
Do  not  look  on  the  wine  when  he  looketh  red, 
when  he  giveth  its  color  in  the  cup,  when  he 
glideth  down  so  readily.  At  the  last  it  will 
bite  like  a  serpent,  and  like  a  basilisk  will  it 
sting.     {Ihid,  29-32.) 


CHAEITY. 

— o — 

1.     There  is  a  man  that  scattereth  gift  and 

yet  his  wealth  is  increased,  and  there  is  one  that 

withholdeth  more  than  is  proper  and  still  cometh 

only  to  want.     (Prov.  xi,  24-,) 


t 


14  PROVERBS     OF 


2.  Whoso  stoppetb  liis  ears  against  the 
cry  of  the  poor,  he  also  will  cry  himself  but  shall 
not  be  answered.      (Ibid,  xxi,  13.) 

3.  A  gift  in  secret  pacifieth  anger;  but  a 
bribe  in  the  bosom  causeth  strong  fury. 
(Ibid,  U-) 

4.  He  that  is  liberal  to  the  poor  lendeth 
unto  the  Lord,  and  his  good  deed  will  he  repay 
unto  him,     {Ibid,  xix,  17,) 

5.  If  thy  enemy  be  hungry  give  him  bread 
to  eat;  if  he  be  thirsty  give  him  water  to  drink. 
{Ibid,  XXV,  21.) 

6.  He  that  giveth  to  the  poor  will  not 
have  any  want,  but  he  that  hideth  his  eyes  will 
have  an  abundant  ol  curse.     (Ibid,  xxvii,  27.) 


RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

— o — 

1.  The  curse  of  the  Lord  is  in  the  house 
of  the  wicked,  but  the  habitation  of  the 
righteous  will  be  blessed.     (Prov,  iii,  3S,) 


u 


THE     BIBLE  15 


*t 


2.  Treasures  of  wickedness  pro  tit  not  liiiig, 
but  rigliteousuess  deliveietli  from  death. 
(Ibid,  X,  2.) 

3.  The  memory  of  the  righteous  is  blessed, 
but  the  name  of  the  Avicli:ed  shall  rot.  {Ibid,  7.) 

4.  As  the  whirlwind  passeth  by, the  wicked 
is  no  moi-ej  but  the  righteous  is  an  evei'lasting 
foundation.     {Ibid,  25.) 

5.  He  who  is  firm  in  righteousness  attain- 
eth  to  life,  and  he  that  pursueth  evil  doth  it  to 
his  death.     {Ibid^  xi,  19^) 

6.  The  righteous  is  delivered  out  of  dis- 
tress, and  the  wicked  cometh  in  his  stead. 
{Ibid,  xi,  8.) 

7.  When  it  goeth  well  with  the  righteous, 
the  town  rejoiceth;  and  when  the  wicked  perish 
there  is  shouting,     {Ihid,  10.) 

8.  To  exercise  righteousness  and  justice,  is 
more  acceptable  to  the  Lord  than  sacrifice. 
{Ibid,  xxi,  S.) 

9.  A  just  man  falleth  seven  times  and 
riseth  up  again;  but  the  wicked  stumbleth  into 
mischief.     {Ibid,  xxiv,   16,) 


U- 


t* 


16  l^KOVERBS     OP' 


10,  He  that  saitli  unto  the  wicked,  Thou 
art  righteonSjhim  will  the  people  curse.  Nations 
will  abhor  him.     (Ihid,  24.) 

11.  Be  not  Irifj^hteous  over  much;  neither 
show  thyself  over-wise.  Why  wouldest  thou 
destroy  thyself?     {EccJe'*,  vii,  16.) 

WEALTH  AND  POVERTY, 

— o — 

1.  The  rich  man's  wealth  is  his  strong 
town;  the  terror  of  the  poor  is  their  poverty. 
(Prov,  X,   15,) 

2.  There  is  that  maketh  himself  rich,  yet 
hath  nothing  :  There  is  that  maketh  himself 
poor  yet  hath  great  riches.     {Ibid,  xiii,  7.) 

3.  Wealth  gotten  by  vain  deeds  will  be 
diminished;  but  he  that  gathereth  by  labor  will 
increase  it.     (Ibid,   11.) 

4.  The  poor  is  hated  even  by  his  own 
neighbor;  but  the  rich  hath  many  friends. 
(Ibid,   xiv,  20,) 

5.  All  the   days  of  the  afflicted  are  evil: 


4 


r- 


THE  BIBLE  1 


but  lie  that  is  of  a  merry  heart  hath  a  continual 
feast.     (Ihidy  xy,  15.) 

6,  The  poor  speaketh  entreatingly;  hut 
the  rich  answereth  roughly.      (Ibid,  xviii,  2S.) 

7,  The  rich  ruleth  over  the  poor,  and  the 
borrower  is  servant  to  the  lender,  {Ibid,  xxii,  7.) 

8,  The  rich  man  is  wise  in  his  own  eyes; 
but  the  poor  that  hath  nnderstanding  can 
search  him  through.      {Ibid,  xxviii,   11.) 

9,  The  sleep  of  the  laboring  man  is  sweet, 
whether  he  eit  little  or  much;  but  the  abun- 
dance of  the  rich  will  not  suffer  him  to  sleep. 
{Ecdes,    Y,   11.) 


PEOVIDEXCE. 

— o — 

1  ^  The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  in  every  place, 
looking  on  the  bad  and  the  good.   {Prov,  xv,  <?.) 

2.  Hell  and  destruction  are  before  the 
Lord:     How  much  more  then  the  hearts  of  men! 

{Ibid,  11,) 


X 


t 


18  PEG  VERBS     OF 

8,  All  the  ways  of  a  iiuiii  are  pure  iu  his 
own  eyes;  but  the  Lord  measureth  the  spirits. 
Coiiiiiiit  thy  works  unto  the  Lord,  and  thy 
thoughts  will  be  establishes  1.      (Ibidj  xvi,  2-3.) 

4,  Wlien  a  man's  w^ays  j)lease  the  Lord, 
he  maketh  even  his  enemies  to  be  at  peace  with 
him.      (Ibid,   7.) 

5.  A  man's  heart  deviseth  his  w^ay;  but 
the  Lord  directeth  his  steps,  (Ibid,  9,) 

G.  The  folly  of  a  man  preverteth  his  way, 
and  his  heart  freteth  against  the  Lord.  {Ibid, 
xix,  3.) 

7.  Man's  goings  are  of  the  Lord;  how  can 
a  man  then  understand  his  own  way?  (Ibid, 
XX,  U,) 

8.  There  is  no  wisdom,  nor  understanding, 
nor  counsel  against  the  Lord,     {Ibid,   xxi,  30,) 


HONESTY. 

— o — 

1.     Withhold  not  a  benefit  from   him   who 


i* 


THE     BIBLE  19 


is  deserving  it,  wlien  it  is  in  thy  power  to  do  it. 
Say  not  unto  tliy  neiglibor.  Go,  and  eonie  again, 
and  tomorrow  I  Mill  give  :  when  thou  hast  it 
by  thee.     {F)'oi\  iii,  37-2<'^,) 

2.  Contrive  not  against  thy  neighbor  any 
evil,  when  he  dwelleth  in  safety  with  tliee. 
Quarrel  not  with  any  man  without  cause,  if  he 
have  done  thee  no  harm.     {Ibid,  29-30,) 

3.  Whoso  bestoweth  evil  in  return  for 
good — evil  shall  not  depart  from  his  house. 
(Ibid,  xvii,  IS.) 

4.  At  the  fall  of  thy  enemy  do  not  rejoice  ; 
and  at  his  stumbling  let  not  thy  heart  be  glad. 
(Ibid,  xxiv,  17.) 

').  Say  not,  As  he  hath  done  to  me  so  will 
I  do  to  him  :  I  will  recompence  every  man  ac- 
cording to  his  doing.     (Ibid,  29,) 


FRIENDSHIP. 

— o — 
1.     A  friend  loveth  at   all  times,   and   as  a 


U 


t 


20  PROVERBS     OF 

brother  is  lie  born  for  the  time  of  distress.   {Proi\ 
xvn,  17.) 

2.  A  man's  many  companions  are  hurtful 
to  him  ;  but  there  is  many  a  friend  that  cleaveth 
closer  than  a  brother,     {Ibid^  xviii,  ^4.) 

3.  Wealth  bringeth  many  friends  ;  but  the 
poor  becometli  separated  from  his  only  friend. 
{Ibid J  xix  4- ) 

4.  Make  thy  foot  scarce  in  the  house  of  thy 
friend  :  lest  he  have  too  mu(ih  of  thee  and  so 
hate  thee.     {IMd,  xxv,  17.) 

5.  Thy  own  friend  and  thy  father's  friend, 
thou  must  not  forsake ;  but  into  thy  brothers 
house  enter  not  on  the  dsy  of  thy  calamity  : 
better  is  a  near  neighbor  than  a  distant  brother. 
{Ibid,  xxvii,  10.) 


SLAXDER  AND  COXTENTIOX. 

— o — 

1.     He  that  hideth  hatred  hath  lips  of  false- 


*t 


THE  BIBLE  21 


hood  ;  and   lie   that    spreadeth  abroad  an  evil 
report  is  a  fool.      {Prov.  x,  18.) 

2.  A  talebearer  revealeth  secrets  ;  but  he 
that  is  of  a  faithful  spirit  consealeth  the  matter. 
(Ibid,  xi,  13^ 

3.  The  words  of  a  whisperer  are  as  tit-bits; 
but  they  go  down  into  the  innermost  parts  of 
the  body.      {Ihid,  xviii,  6'.) 

4.  AYhere  no  wood  is^  there  the  fire  goeth 
out :  so  where  there  is  no  Avhisperer,  strife  is 
silenced.  As  char-coals  are  added  to  burning 
coals^  and  wood  to  fire  :  so  is  a  contentious  man 
fitted  to  enkindle  strife.     {Ihid,  xxvi,  W-21.) 

5.  Carry  on  thy  cause  with  thy  neighbor; 
but  discover  not  the  secrets  of  another.  Lest  he 
that  heareth  it  put  thee  to  shame,  and  thy  infamy 
never  be  removed,     {Ibid,  xxv;  9-10.) 

6.  Drive  away  the  scorner,  and  strife  will 
go  off ;  and  will  cease  contention  and  dishonor. 
{Ibid,  xxii,  10.) 

7.  Surely  the  serpent  will  bite  without 
enchantment ;  and  a  babbler  is  no  better. 
(Eccles,  X,  11.) 

^ 


22  PROVERBS      OF 

WRA.TH. 

— o — 

1.  He  tliat  is  slow  to  anger  is  of  great 
uuderstaudiug  ;  but  lie  that  is  hasty  of  spirit 
exaltetli  folly.     {Prov.  xiv,  29,) 

2.  A  soft  answer  turnetli  away  fury:  but  a 
mortifying  word  stirreth  up  anger.   {Ibid,  xv,  Jl) 

3.  He  th  it  is  slow  in  anger  is  better  than 
a  hero  ;  and  lij  that  ruleth  his  spirit,  than  the 
conqueror  of  a  city.     (Ibid,  xvi,  16.) 

4.  It  is  intellig(;uce  in  man  to  be  slow  in 
his  anger,  and  it  is  his  glory  to  pass  over  a  trans- 
gression.    (Ibid,  xlx,  11,) 

').  Make  no  friendship  with  an  angry  man  ; 
and  with  a  furious  man  thou  shalt  not  go.  Lest 
thou  learn  his  ways  and  get  a  snare  to  thy  soul, 
{Ibid,  xxii,  2^-25,) 

6,  By  long  forbearing  is  a  i^rince  persuaded, 
and  a  soft  tongue  breaketh  bones.  {Ibid, 
XXV,    5,) 

7.  Be  not  hasty  in  thy  spirit  to  be  angry  : 
for  anger  resteth  in  the  bosom  of  fools.  (Eccles, 
vii,  9.) 


t- 


t 


THE     BIBLE  23 


PEIDE  AIsD  HUMBLENESS. 

— o — 

1.  Every  one  that  is  proud  is  an  abom- 
ination to  the  Lord.     (Frov.  xvi,  4.) 

2.  Pride  goeth  before  downfall  and  an 
haughty   spirit     before   stumbling,     {Ibid,  IS.) 

3.  Better  it  is  to  be  of  an  humble  spirit 
with  the  lowly,  than  to  divide  spoil  with  the 
proud.     {Ibid,  19.) 

4-  Haughtiness  of  the  eyes,  and  an  im- 
moderate heart,  are  the  sinful  held  of  the  wicked. 
{Ibid,  xxi,  4.) 

5.  The  reward  of  humility  and  the  fear  of 
the  Lord  are  riches,  honor,  and  life,  {Ibid, 
xxii,  4-.) 

C.  The  pride  of  a  man  will  humble  him  j 
but  the  humble  in  spirit  will  attain  to  honor. 
{Ibid,  xxix,  23.) 


%*■ 


TEUTH  A:N^D  FALSEHOOD. 

— o — 
1.     The  lips   of  truth  will   stand    firm  for 


r ^ *t 

24  PlIO  VERBS     OF 

ev^er  ;  bub  tlio  tongue  of  falsehood    is    only   for  a 
moment,     {Prov,  xii,  19,) 

'2,  Lips  of  falsehood  are  an  ahomiiiatioii  to 
the  Lord  ;  but  they  that  dealin  faithfulness  are 
his  delight.     (Ibid,  22.) 

3.  An  evil-doer  listeneth  to  false  lips;  a 
liar  giveth  ear  to  a  naughty  tongue.  {Ihid, 
xvii,  ^.) 

4.  Bread  of  falsehood  is  pleasent  to  a  man  ; 
but  afterward  his  mouth  will  be  filled  with 
gravel -stones.     (Ibid,  xx,  17.) 

5.  Buy  the  truth  and  sell  it  not  -^  also  wis- 
dom, and  instruction,  and  understanding. 
{Ibid,  xxiii,  23.) 

9,  A  man  that  testirieth  as  a  false  wittness 
against  his  neighbor  is  a  battle  axe,  a  sword  and 
a  sharpened  arrow.     {Ibid,  xxv,  18,) 

7.  Two  things  do  I  request  of  thee  :  deny 
them  not  to  me  before  I  die.  Eemove  from  me 
vanity  and  lyiug  word  •  give  me  neither  poverty 
nor  riches  ;  feed  me  with  food  convenient  for  me, 
{Ibid,  XXX,  7  8.) 


r *t 

MAXIMS  AND  PROVERBS  25 

OF  THE  TALMUD. 

THE    WO  MAX. 

— o — 

1.  God  gave  woman  more  understanding 
than  man.   {Nidda,  4'5,  b.) 

2.  Why  is  the  voice  of  a  woman  more 
pleasant  than  that  of  a  man?  The  man  is  made 
of  dust  [Genesis,  IL,  7.)  the  woman  from  a 
bone,  {Ibid,  22.)  and  the  sound  of  bone  is  clearer 
than  the  sound  of  dust.     {Nidda,  31,  h,) 

3.  An  old  woman  is  a  treasure  in  the  house, 
an  old  ^  man  is  a  cause  of  discension  in  the 
house.      {Eriichin,   19,    a.) 

4.  A  woman  aiwajs  carries  her  weapons 
with  her. — She  is  able  to  subdue  the  strongest 
man. — {Aboda  Zara,  25,  a.) 

.").  A  sixty-year-old  woman  desires  to  dance 
like  a  six-year-old  girl.      {Moed  Katan,  9,  b.) 

6.  One  sheep  follows  the  other,  and  a 
daughter  follows  the  mother.    {Kethuboth,  63,  a.) 

7.  A  woman  recognizes  a  newcomer 
quicker  than  a  man.     {Berachofh,  10.  b.) 

8.  A  woman  is  less  hospitable  to  visitors 
than  a  man.      {Baba  Mezia,  87,  b.) 


2(3  MAXIMS   AND    PRVOERBS. 

9.  Women    are   more  frivolous  than  men. 
{Sabbath,  SS,  b.) 

10.  Women  are  more  talkative  than   men. 
{Berachoth,  4-3,  a.) 

11.  Ten  n;easnres  of  talk  were  bestowed  on 
the  world;  woman  took  nine.     {Kidaaldm,  4.9 b.) 

12.  A   woman  can  do  two   tilings  at   one 
time — spin  and  chatter.     (Megilla,  1 4,  b.) 


LOVE. 
— o — 

1.  Whenever  love  depends  npon  some 
material  cause,  with  the  passing  away  of  that 
cause,  love  too,  passes  away,  but  if  it  be  not 
dependent  upon  such  a  cause,  it  will  not  pass 
away  forever.     (Aboth,  5,  19,) 

2.  When  our  love  was  strong  there  was 
room  for  both  on  the  edge  of  a  sword,  but  when 
our  love  grew  cold  a  bed  of  sixty  meters  was  too 
small,     {^aiihedriii,  7,  «.) 


OF     THE     TALMUD.  27 


3,  AVlien  a  man  dies  from  love  of  woman 
tliere  is  no  judgment.     (Baba  Mezin  97,  a  ) 

4.  Love  perverts  tlie  right  patli. 
(.^anhedriu,  705,  b.) 

A,  The  Holy  One,  blessed  be  He,  said 
nnto  Israel:  ''My  dear  children,  I  require  of 
you  nothing  that  I  have  not  provided  for  you. 
And  what  have  I  lequired  of  you?  Only  that 
you  should  love  one  anothei-,  honor  each  other 
and  ti'eat  each  other  with  regard.  {Tenia  de  be 
Ehjahu. ) 

().  Love  thy  fellowman  as  thyself  {Ley, 
XVTII,  W.)  This  is  the  great  principle  of 
law.      (Siphri  to  Kidvshin,) 


MARRIAGE. 

1.  Why  does  the  man  seek  the  woman  to 
marry  and  woman  does  not  seek  man?  Because 
he  who  loses  something- seeks  it.     The  first   man 


u 


t*- 


L>S  MAXIMS  AND   PJtOVEKBS. 

wliile  sleeping  lost  a  rib,  from  wliicb  woiiuui 
was  made.     (Nidda,  SI,  b.) 

2.  He  who  has  not  a  wife  knows  not  what 
joy  is,  what  good  fortune  is,  wliat  blessing  is  and 
cannot  be  called  a  man.     ( Yebamoth,  63,  b.) 

8.  If  you  are  going  to  buy  a  farm  do  not 
delay;  if  you  are  going  to  marry  think  well. 
Seek  a  wife  a  grade  lower  than  yourself;  a  friend 
a  grade  higher  than  yourself.    (  Yahamnth,  f>S,  a. ) 

4.  He  who  marries  for  money  will  have 
wicked  children.     (Kidnshwy  70,  a.) 

5.  Sell  everything  you  possess  to  obtain 
in  marriage  the  daughter  of  a  learned  man. 
{Pesachhn,  J^9,  a.) 

6.  A  woman  is  more  content  to  haA^e  one 
measun^  of  food  and  be  married  than  to  have 
ten  measures  of  food  and  be  single.  {Sota, 
20,  a  ) 

7.  When  one  desires  to  wed  a  woman  he 
should  inquire  about  the  character  of  her 
brothers,  as  the  children  inherit  th^  traits  of  the 
mother^s  brothers.      {Baha  Bafhra,  110,  a.) 

8.  It  is  prohibited,  a  man  to  betroth  a  wo- 


OF  THE  TALMUD.  29 


man  unto  himself  without  seeing  her,  for  he  may 
afterward  find  about  her  something  that  he 
dislikes  and  hate  her  for  that;  while  the  law 
commands:      "Love  thy  fellow- man.      {Kidushin, 

U,   «.) 

9.  When  a  girl  has  lovelj^  eyes  it  is  a  token 
that  she  is  pretty.     {Taanith,  24 y  a. 

10.  When  charlatans  began  to  spread  over 
the  world,  the  Jewish  daughters  wished  only  to 
marry  charlatans,  for  our  generations  judge  by 
the  outer  shell  and   not    by  the  kernel.      {Sota, 


,  ^.) 


THE   WIFE. 

— 0— 

1.  Who  is  a  really  pious  woman?  She 
who  obeys  the  wishes  of  her  husband.  {JSt'edarhn, 
66,  b.) 

2.  When  man  and  wife  live  contentedly 
the  spirit  of  God  is  between  them.  If  they  do 
not  live  contentedly,  afire  consume  them,  {Sota 
17,  a.) 


r- 


*t 


:ii)  MAXIMS   AND    PROVERBS. 


3.  A  man  should  be  cai-efnl  not  to  belittle 
tile  respect  liis  wife  lias  deserved,  for  God's 
blessing-  comes  lo  the  house  because  of  the  wife. 
(Buha  3Iezia,  59,  a.) 

4.  A  man  should  guard  himself  against 
aggravating  his  wife,  as  she  is  prone  to  tears; 
and  the    punishment    comes  very    soon.   {Ibid.) 

5.  Rabha  said  to  the  dwellers  of  Mechuza: 
^^Honor  your  Avives  and  you  will  become 
Avealthy."     {Ihid.) 

6.  The  man  who  is  jealous  of  his  wife  is 
mad.      {SotUj    S  a.) 

7.  Pie  who  lost  his  first  wife,  the  world 
becomes  dark  to  him.    {Sanhedrin,   22,  a. ) 

8.  If  your  wife  is  small,  bend  to  her  and 
whisper  in  her  ears. — Take  alwajs  advice  of 
your  wife, — {Baba  Mezia^  50,  a.) 

9.  Happy  is  the  man  who  has  a  handsome 
wife,  the  number  of  his  years  are  doubled 
{Yebamoth^  63,  b.) 

10.;  A  pretty  wife, a  splendid  house  and  fine 

furniture  give  constant  pleasure  {Beracli.  57,  b.) 

11.     A  mau  should  love  his  wife  as  himself 

4, , 


n 


OF     THE     TALMUD.  ;jl 

and  respect  lier  more  tluiu    liiinself.     {Yehumofh, 
62,    h.) 

12.  A  man  should  live  below  Lis  iuoome 
but  dress  according  to  liis  income  and  bonor  bis 
wife  and  cbildren  above  bis  income,  lor  tbey  are 
dependent  on  him  and  be  bis  dependent  on  God. 
{Chulln,  S4,  b.) 

13.  He  wbo  depends  on  bis  wife  for  a 
living  will  never  see  a  blessing  in  bis  uridertaking. 
(  Pf'dachim  oO,  a.) 

14.  Do  not  devote  yourself  too  much  to 
your  wife;  tbe  left  Jiand  sbould  repell  and  tbe 
rigid  embrace.    (Sota  4-7,  a.) 

1'),  Tbe  wife  of  a  learned  man  receives  tbe 
same  bonor  as  be  iumself.  {Shebuoth,  -^0,  b,) 


PAREXT8    AXD  CHILDl^EX 


1.     Tbere  are  some  wbo  give  tbeir  parents 
ricb  ibud  and  still  sin  against  tbem;  and  otbers 

U ^ 4 


t* 


;}2  MAXIMS  AND  nUJVEKBS. 


who  put  their  father  to  work  in   a  mill  and  yet 
they  earn  the  lUessing  of  God.  {Kldushin,3  f^  a.) 

See  note  1. 

2.  The  Creator  knew  that  a  son  lionors 
liis  motlier  more  than  his  father,  therefore  He 
wrote  the  command:  Honor  thy  father  and 
thy  mother,  {fJxod.  20,  12,)  placing  the  father 
first — He  knew  that  a  son  fears  his  father  more 
than  his  mother,  and  therefore  He  said:  ^'Ye 
shall  fear,  everj^  man,  his  mother  and  his  father, 

{L'ivit  19,3,)  placing  the  mother  first.     {Ibid.) 

3.  How  much  honor  mnst  be  shown  to 
parents?  Even  whcQ  the  father  throws  a  bag  of 
his  son's  gold  into  the  sea,  the  son  mnst  not  re- 
proach him,     {Ibid,  32,  a.) 

4.  When  a  father  violates  a  command  of 
the  Tora,  the  son  mnst  ni)t  reproach  him  for  it, 
but  must  say:  ''Father,  it  is  written  in  the 
Tora  thus"—    {Ibid,  32,  a.) 

5.  Honor  your  step-father  and  step-mother 
as  your  right  parents.     Ketlmboth,  103,  a, 

6.  Do  not  show  more  love  for  one  son 
than  for    the    others,   because     Jacob  gave   to 


r *t 

OF  THE  TALMVD.  33 

Joseph  a  co:it  of  many  colors,  his  brothers  envied 
him,  and  the  result  was  that  our  ancestors 
became  slaves  in  Egypt.     {Sabbath,  10,  b,) 

7.  Do  not  show  too  much  love  to  a  child: 
The  left  hand  should  repel  and  the  right  hand 
embrace.      {Sofa,  4.7,  a.) 

8.  If  your  daughter  is  grown  up,  liberate 
your  slave  and  unite  them  in  marriage. 
(Femchim,  US,  a.) 

9 .  He  who  gives  his  daughter  in  marriage 
to  an  ignorant  man  is  as  wicked  as  if  he  bound 
her  and  placed  her  for  a  lion.   {Ibicl^  69,  a.) 

10.  The  Holy  Script  says  that  God  will 
never  forgive  him  who  gives  his  daughter  in 
marriage  to  an  old  man  or  compells  his  young 
son  to  marrj^     {Sauhedrin,  76,  b.) 

11.  Who  does  charity  continually'?  He 
who  supports  his  wife  and  children.  (Kethuboth, 
50,  a.) 

12.  He  who  has  no  children  is  re^'arded  as 


fe' 


a  dead  person.     (Ibid,  64-,  b,) 


t* 4 


t 


u 


lU  MAXIMS   AND    PKOVEKBS. 

STUDY  AND  STUDENTS. 

— o — 

1.  Every  man,  even  a  lieatlien,  Aviio  occupies 
himself  with  the  study  of  the  law,  is  on  an  equa^ 
footing  with  a  high  priest.   (Baba  Kama,   38,  a.) 

2,  Knowledge  is  like  fire,  {Jer,  xxiii  29,) 
Even  as  fire  does  not  burn  without  fuel,  so 
knowledge  cannot  be  acquired  by  a  man  who 
studies  without  a  master.   {Taanith  7,  a.) 

8.  Knowledge  is  like  Avood  {Frov,  iii  18.) 
Even  as  a  small  splinter  will  kindle  a  log,  so  it 
is  with  the  studious;  the  pupils  sharpen  the 
wits  of  their  teacher.     (Ibid. ) 

4.  Knowledge  is  compared  to  water^  wine 
and  milk  [Isaiah  LV,  1,)  Even  as  these  liquids 
cannot  be  kept  pure  in  any  but  earthen  pots,  so 
knowledge  cannot  remain  with  any  but  liumble 
man,     (Ibid,  5  a.) 

o.  Knowledge  is  like  a  breast.(P/'oy,  Y,  79) 
The  more  the  child  suckles  the  more  milk  he 
finds;  and  the  more  one  studies,  the  more  plea- 
sure he  finds  therein.     (Erubin,  54,   b.) 


OF     THE     TALMUD.  ;:{5 

6,  Kuowledge  is  like  a  uut,  the  kernel 
remaius  clean  no  matter  in  what  dirt  tlie  shell 
may  have  rolled;  even  so  with  the  student; 
although  he  tius,  his  erudition  remaius  clean  and 
clear.      [Chagiya  Id,  b,) 

7.  It"  one  should  tell  3'ou:  •*!  have  studied 
a  great  deal  but  have  gained  very  little  know- 
ledge'' do  not  believe  him;  If  one  should  say;  "i 
have  studied  but  little  and  have  gained  a  great 
deal  of  knowledge"  doubt  him  also.  But  if  one 
should  say,  ''I  have  studied  and  gained  a  great 
deal' '  believe  him.  [JL  gilla  6,  b. ) 

8.  The  only  condition  that  can  realiy  be 
called  poverty  is  when  one  has  no  educaiiou. 
{Nedarim  Jfl,  a. ) 

9.  If  you  have  gained  knowledge  what  do 
you  lack  ?  If  you  have  not  gained  knowledge 
what  have  you  gained  V      {^Ibld, ) 

10.  Take  care  of  the  children  of  the  i)oor. 
for  they  are  more  likely  to  become  learned  men 
than  the  children  of  the  rich.     {Ibid,  81,  a,) 

11.  Learned    men    become  wiser   as    they 

L- *^ 


:U)  MAXIMS  AND   nM)VKlMJS. 


<;r()w  older,   igororant  men  l>ecome  more  stupid, 
(Ibid,  J 52,  a.) 

12.  When  a  learned  man  lias  a  stain  on  his 
garment  he  deserves  death.      (Ibid,  1 14,  a  ) 

13.  Honor  an  old  man  who  has  forgotten 
his  knowledge  because  ofmislbrtune.  (Berachot}i, 
8,  b,) 

14.  He  who  is  ignorant  regards  the  learned 
mail  upon  liis  tirst  sight  as  a  golden  pitcher. 
Alter  having  had  some  discourse  with  him,  he 
regards  him  as  a  silver  pitcher.  If  he  shows  him 
aii}^  favor  he  regards  him  as  worthless  as  an 
earthen  broken  pitclier.  (Sanhedrin  52,    b,) 

15.  God  says  to  man  :  ''My  light — learning 
— is  in  your  hands,  and  your  light — the  soul — is 
in  my  hands.  If  you  guard  1113^  light, I  will  guard 
your  light.  If  you  disregard  my  light  I  will 
disregard  your  light.   (Jalkid  of  the  Pmbns,  617,) 

16.  Rabbi  Juda  and  Eabbi  Chiya  once 
journeyed  together  and  they  came  to  a  city.  They 
asked  if  there  was  a  learned  man  in  that  cit}^ 
whom  they  could  visit,  and  they  were  told  that 
there  was  one,    who,   however,  was  blind.  They 


4 


*t 


OF  THE  TALMUD.  37 

visited  liim,  and  after  they  took  their  leave  he 
said  to  them :  ^'You  have  visited  a  man  who  can 
be  seen  but  cannot  see,  therforci  yon  will  one  day 
be  received  by  one  who  sees^bnt  cannot  be  seen. 
( Chagiga  o,  6.) 

17.  This  is  the  way  to  gain  knowledge:  Eat 
bread  and  salt,  drink  water  sparingly,  indulge  in 
no  luxuries.  Then  you  will  attain  the  highest 
pinnacle  of  fortune  here  and  hereafter.     {Aboih, 

6;  Ma-) 

18  Let  thy  house  be  a  house  of  assembly  for 
the  wise:  and  dust  thyself  Avith  the  dust  of  their 
feet,  and  drink  their  words  in  thirsty  desire. 
(lbidl;,i.) 

19,  Make  thy  study  of  the  law  a  fixed  duty; 
say  little  and  do  much,  and  receive  every  man 
Avith  friendly  mien.      (Ibid  1,  15.) 

20.  The  study  of  the  Torah  and  worldy 
employment  are  commandable  together  for  their 
joint  occupation  removes  all  thoughts  of  sin, 
and  all  study  of  the  law  not  associated  with 
worldy  employment,  must  eventually  prove  futile 
and  will  be  the  cause  of  sin.     (Ibid^  22.) 


X*- 


:58  MAXIMS   AND    PKOVERBS. 


u- 


21.  "Who  is  a  wise  man  ?  He  who  learneth 
from  everybody.      (Ibifl,  J/.,  1.) 

22,  Let  the  honor  of  yonr  disciple  be  as 
dear  to  yon  as  yonr  own,  and  the  lionor  of  yonr 
associate  as  yonr  reverence  for  yonr  master,  and 
yonr  reverence  for  yonr  master  like  the  awe  of 
Heaven.     {Ibid,  4,  ^5,) 


PRAYER. 


1.  God  says  to  man;  ''If  yon  come  to  my 
honse  I  will  come  to  yonr  honse;  if  yon  will  not 
come  to  my  house  I  will  not  come  to  jonrs." 
(Succa,  53,  a.) 

2.  Even  when  a  man  is  in  the  greatest  peril 
and  a  sword  threatens  him,  he  should  not'despair 
but  ]>ray  to  God  for  succor.      (Berachofh,  10,   a.) 

3.  The  idols  appear  to  be  very  near  their 
Avorshipper:  in  reality  they  are  very  far.  The 
idolator  places  his  idol  in  his  honse.  He  calls   to 


OF     THE     TALMUD.  ;i9 

liiiii:  lie  prays  to  liiiu;  be  kneels  before  him:  but 
his  idol  answers  not.  God  Eternal  appears  to 
be  very  far  off;  we  see  Him  not,  and  yet  he  hears 
the  prayei's  of  all  and  aids  them.  (Jcrushahni 
Berachoth.) 

4.  AVhen  the  burglar  is  l)reakino-  into  a 
house,  he  calls  on  God  to  help  him,  (Berachoth, 
6S,   a.) 

5.  TheBlble  siys:  '^To  love  the  Lord  your 
God  and  to  serve  him  with  all  your  heart  and  all 
your  soul" —  How  can  one  serve  God  with  the 
hear  t  '^  It  means  prayer.     ( Taan ith.  2.  a.) 

6.  God  desires  the  prayers  of  the  ijions  men. 
(  Ye.bamofJi,  6 If,  a.) 

7.  He  who  has  a  synagrgue  in  his  neigh- 
borhood and  avoids  to  come  therein  for  prayer, 
is  called  a  bad  neighbor.     {Berachoth^  8,  a.) 

8.  He  who  is  loud  in  his  prayers  is  short  in 
his  faith.   {B-rcwhoth,   2Jf,  b.) 


U 


40  MAXIMS  AND  PKOVERBS. 

EATING  AND  DRINKING. 

— o — 

1.  A  man  should  not  dine  before  lie  lias  fed 
his  animals.     {Gittin,  62,  h.) 

2.  Do  not  ask  one  to  dine  with  you  when 
you  know  that  he  would  not.     {Gliulin,  94,  a.) 

8.  He  who  afflicts  his  body  with  too  much 
fasting  is  a  sinner.     {Taanith,  11,  a.) 

4.  The  noble  men  of  Jerusalem  did  not  join 
in  a  meal  unless  thc}^  knew  with  whom  they  were 
to  dine,     {Sanhedrin,  2S,  a.) 

5.  He  who  eats  in  the  streets  is  like  a  dog, 
{Kiddushin,  J^O,  b.) 

6.  Chew  well  and  you  will  find  it  in  the  feet 
{Sabbath,  152,  a.} 

7.  Make  your  Sabbath  like  a  week-day  if 
3'OU  are  in  want,  and  do  not  depend  upon  others. 
{Ibid,  118,  a.) 

8.  More  die  from  the  pot — by  over-eating 
themselves — than  from  need.      {Ibid,  S3,  a,) 

9.  Eat  when  you  are  hungry,  drink  when 
you  are  thirsty.     {Berachoih,  59,  b.) 


4 


OF  THE  TALMrD.  41 


10.  There  is  always  rooui  for  delicacies, 
{Meg ilia,  7,h.) 

11.  Do  not  indulge  in  drink  and  you  wiP 
not  sin,     {Berachoth,  29,  b.) 

12.  When  wine  goes  in,  secrects  come  out. 
(Ernbin,  65,  b. ) 

13.  Wine  causes  mourning  to  the  world — 
Wine  brings  poverty.     {Yuma,  76,  h.) 

14.  Samuel  said  to  his  pupil  Eab  Jehuda: 
^'Eat  and  drink  while  you  are  able  to,  for  the 
world  is  like  a  wedding;  if  you  can  aiford  it. enjoy 
yourself;  for  there  is  no  pleasure  in  the  grave; 
death  will  not  wait  for  you.  You  will  say, perhaps 
^ -I will  save  and  leave  a  fortune  to  my  children," 
but  wht)  will  tell  you  about  it  ?  Man  is  like  the 
grass  of  the  field — these  sprout  and  thus  wither. 

Eruhm,   oJf.,  a.) 


42  MxVXlMS   AND    PKOVERB8. 

clothp:s. 

— o  — 
3.     Silk   is  fit    fur   a  gentlciiiaii.     {Sahbaf/t, 
10,  r/.) 

2.  Clotbes  malse  the  Dian.       (Ibid,  U-J,  b) 

3.  In  the  city  my  name  tells,  al)ioad  my 
clothes.     (Ibid,  J 4.5,  a.) 

4.  If  you  are  in  want  of  clothes  pay  m  )re 
than  the  vahie,  if  you  are  in  w^^nt  of  food  pay 
the  value  only,     (Baba  Mtzia,  52,  a.) 


t 


LABOR. 

— o — 

1.  Every  man  should  teach  his  son  a  light 
and  clean  trade.     Kidvshin,  82,  a.) 

2.  He  who    does  not  teach  his  son  a  trade 
teaches  him  robbery.     (Ibid,  29,  o,) 

u ^ 


OF     THE     TALMUD. 


*t 


;},  Love  labor.  and  hate  grandeur. 
{Abofit,  no,    a.) 

4.  Any  study  witliout  labor  ends  in 
nothing-,       {Jbid,  2.) 

5.  Labor  is  important;  she  honors  the 
laborer.      {Aedarim,  J^9.  a.) 

6.  Even  flay  a  carcass  in  the  streets  to  earn 
for  your  sui^port.  Do  not  say  'T  am  a  great  man, 
it  is  not  lit  for  me."      (Pesachinij  IIS,   a,} 

7.  The  seven  year  famine  never  crossed  the 
treshhold  of  the  laborer.     {Sanhedrui,  29,  a,) 


CHAEITY. 

— o — 


1.  The  Jewish  uat ion  possesses  three  dis- 
tinguishing traits  of  character:  Mercy,  diffidence 
and  charity.   (  Yebcunoth,  79,  a.) 

2.  He  who  avoids  giving  chai'ity  is  equiv- 
alent  to  an  idolator.     {Kethuboth,  68,  a.) 


u 


r n 

44  lAFAXIMS   AND   IMU)VEKP>S. 


3.  Pious  men  promise  litth'  and  do  mucli, 
wicked  men  promise  mucli  and  do  not  even  little. 
(Baba  Mezla^  87,   a  ) 

4.  He  who  says  '^I  give  this  eliarity  so  that 
my  sou  may  live  or  that  I  may  reach  the 
paradise"  is  still  a  pious  man.  {Baba  Bafhra, 
10,  b.) 

5.  He  who  does  charity  secretly,  stands 
higher  than  Moses.      {lb  d,  9,  b, ) 

6.  He  who  gives  eharitj^  will  have  edu- 
cated and  wealthy    children.      {Ibid.) 

7.  If  a  man  brings  a  gifr  to  a  king  lie  is  in 
doubt  whether  it  will  be  accepted  ,and  if  it  is 
accepted  he  does  not  know  whether  he  will  see 
the  kingj  but  if  he  gives  to  a  poor  man  he  is 
admitted  to  the  presence  of  God.   (Ibid  10^  a,) 

8.  The  poor  heathen  must  be  maintained 
as  well  as  the  poor  Israelites.  The  sick  heathen 
must  be  tended  as  well  as  the  sick  Israelites. 
The  dead  heathen  must  be  buried  as  well  as 
the  dead  Israelite.   {Gittin^Gl,  a.) 

9.  He  who  lends  a  poor  man  mone^*  to 
be  used  in   business,    stands    higher     than    one 


4 


*t 


OF  THE  TALMUD.  45 

who  does  charity,     {Sabbath,  63,  a.) 

10.  He  who  visits  a  sick  man  gives  him 
life  aud  is  saved  from  Gehemia, — (Hell; 
Nedarim,  J^O,  a. )  See  Xote  2. 

11.  It  is  positive  that  he  who  pities 
humanity  is  a  descendant  of  Abraham.  {Betza^ 
32,   b.)    " 

12.  The  dove  that  was  sent  out  of  the 
ark,  said  to  God:  ^'Lord  of  the  Universe, 
let  my  food  be  as  bitter  as  the  olive,  and 
come  from  Thy  hand,  rather  than  as  sweet  as 
honey  and  come  from  the  hand  of  man". 
{Erubin,  18,  b,) 

13.  When  it  is  decided  to  give  charity  and 
the  .deed  is  put  off  until  to-morrow,  it  is  like 
spilling  blood.      {Sanhedrin,  85^  «.)     See  Note  3. 

11.  A,  wise  man  must  not  take  \\\)  his 
residence  where  there  is  no  provision  for  the 
poor.     {Ihid^  17,  b,) 

15.  The  needy  must  be  supplied  with  a 
horse  and  a  slave  if  he  has  been   accustomed  to 

it.     {Kethuboth  67,  &.)  See  Note  4. 

16.  ^o  more  than   one   fifth    of  a   man's 


-9- 


4()  MAXIMS   AND    PROVERBS. 

wealtli  should  be  spent  in  charity.  {Ibid.) 

17.  Let  your  house  be  open  to  hospitality 
aud  the  poor  belong  to  thy  household, 
(Aboth   1,    15.) 

18.  Not  only  the  poor  man  of  your  own 
city,  but  those  of  other  cities  must  be  aided. 
{Baba  Mezia  3 1  ,  b,) 

19.  A  poor  man  who  receives  charity  must 
also  give.   (Gittin  7,  a,) 

20.  He  who  pretends  to  be  blind  or  lame 
to  obtain  charity,  will  really  come  to  that  pass. 
He  who  takes  charity  without  needing  it,  will  be 
brought  to  that  necessity.  (Keti(both68,  a  ) 

21.  If  money  is  salted  away,  it  diminishes. 
{Ibid,  66,  6,) 

ASSOCIATION. 

1.  The  noble  of  Jerusalem  guarded  them- 
selves from  three  things  :  They  did  not  sign  as 
witnesses  to  a  note  unless  they  knew  who  the 
other  signers  were  ;  they  did  not  sit  on  a  jury  be- 

i* 4 


t 


OF     THE     TALMUD.  47 


fore  they  knew  who  their  colleagues  were  ;  and 
they  did  not  join  in  a  meal  unless  they  knew  with 
whom  they  were  to  dine.    [Sanhedriii,  ^3,  a,) 

2.  A  man  should  always  conform  with 
others.  He  should  not  sleep  among  wakeful,  and 
not  be  awake  among  sleepers.  He  should  not  be 
merry  among  mourners,  and  not  be  mournful 
among  merry.  He  should  not  sit  among  the 
standing,  and  not  stand  among  the  sitting.  In 
short  *  he  must  not  be  different  from  others. 
(Derech  Eretz  Zuta,  5. ) 

3.  Keep  distant  from  an  evil  neighl^or  and 
do  not  associate- with  the  wicked.  {Abofh  i.  7.) 

4.  A  man  and  a  serpent  cannot  live  in  one 
basket.   {Kdhuhoth  12,  a.) 

5.  Why  does  the  vulture  go  to  the  raven! 
Because  they  are  fit  comx:)anions.  {Baba  Kama 
92,  a.) 

6.  Either  company  or  death  ( Tnam  ifh  2S  a.) 

7.  Go  uj)  a  step  and  seek  a  friend.  ( YehamotJi 
63,  a.) 

8.  Woe  is  to  the  wicked,  woe  is  to  his 
neighbor  (When     the  former    is    punished   the 


U: 


t 


4S  MAXFMS   AND    PKOVEHIiS. 

latter  suffers.)    (Succa  06,  b.) 

9.  A.  rotten  tree  Keeps  eoinpany  with  a 
barren  tree.    {Baha  Kama  92^  h.) 

10.  A  myrtle  among  thoi'ns  is  still  a 
myrtle.  (Sanhendrin  Jflf,  a.) 

11.  For  a  full  store  there  are  many  brethei'n 
and  good  friends,  but  for  misfortune  none  of 
either  can  be  found.   {Sahbafh,  32,  a,) 

12.  The  King's  wight  has  the  King's  ^'iglit. 
(Sh'buoth  47,  a.) 

13.  Associate  with  the  stout  and  you  will 
become  stout.    {Ibid,) 

14.  Place  a  wet  brand  between  two  dry 
brands  and  the  wet  brand  will  also  be  burned. 
{Sanhedrui,  93,  a.) 

15.  When  the  cat  and  the  weasel  become 
friends  no  good  will  result.  (Ibid,) 

16.  The  grass  suffers  because  of  the  weed. 
(The  innocent  suffer  because  of  the  guiltj^) 
(Baba  Kama,  92,  a.) 


X* 4 


OF  THE  TALMUD.  49 

TEUTH  AXD  FALSEHOOD. 
— o — 

1.  Learn  to  say  ^^I  do  not  know"  if  you  do 
not  want  to  be  caught  in  a  lie.  (Berachot,  4y  ^- ) 

2.  The  seal  of  the  Eternal  God  is  ''Truth" 
{Sabbaihy  S5,  a,) 

3.  Truth  stands,  Falsehood  falls.  {Ibid, 
104.,  a.) 

4.  Truth  can  easily  be  recognized.  {Sofa, 
9,   a.) 

5.  The  punishment  of  a  liar  is,  that,  even 
when  he  tells  the  truth  nobody  will  believe  him. 
{Sanhedrin,  89,  b.) 

6.  He  who  does  not  keep  his  word  is  like 
an  idolator.  {Ibid  92,  a.) 

7.  A  liar  does  not  remember  his  lies. 
(Ibid,  69,  a.) 

8.  A  man  will  not  lie  about  something  that 
will  become  known.   (Rosh  Hashana,  22,  b.) 

9.  A  liar  is  rejected  by  God.  {Sola,  Jf.,2  a.) 

10.  You  should  not  deceive  a  child,  for  by 
so  doing,  you  teach  it  to  lie,  (Siicca,  46,  b.) 


50  MAXIMS   AND   PROVERBS. 

11.  God  hates  a  man  who  says  one  thing 
and  means  another.   (Pesachim,  IIS^  b.) 

12.  It  is  permissable  sometimes  to  tell  a 
lie,  in  order  to  avoid  quarrel.  {Yebamoih,  65,  b.) 

SLANDER. 

1 .  In  the  future  all  animals  will  gather  a- 
round  the  serpent  and  ask  ^^  What  do  you  gain 
by  your  bite  *?  The  lion,  the  wolf  and  other  beasts 
of  prey  devour  what  they  slay,  but  you  gain 
nothing  by  your  bite".  The  serpent  will  reply, 
^^What  does  one  gain  by  slander."  {Eruchin^ 
15,  b.) 

2.  He  who  slanders  another,  is  a  blas- 
phemer. He  deserves  stoning.  His  sins  are  greater 
than    idolatry,  adultery  and  bloodshed.   (Ibid.) 

3.  Why  are  a  man's  fingers  like  nails? 
Because  when  he  hears  an  indecent  remark  he 
should  close  his  ears  with  his  fingers.  (Ketvboth 
6,  b.) 

U 4 


OF     THE     TALMUD.  51 


4.  Four  classes  of  man  are  rejected  by  God : 
flatteres^  liars,  mockers,  and  slanderes.  (Sota 
43,   a.) 

5.  Do  not  praise  one  too  much,  for  it  might 
turn  into  offence.    {Eruckin,   16,  a.) 


WEATH. 

— o — 


1.  God  loves  a  man  who  is  slow  in  wrath. 
(Pesachwu  113,  &,) 

2.  The  life  of  a  choleric  is  very  miserable. 

3.  Do  not  be  angry,  and  j^ou  will  not  sin. 
(Berachoth,  29,  b.) 

4.  A  man's  character  can  be  perceived  by 
his  temper.   (Ih^uhin,  65,  b.) 

5.  He  who  in  his  wrath  tears  his  clothes  or 
breaks  utensiles,  is  like  an  idolator.  {Sahbath, 
105,  b.) 

t. 4 


t 


52  MAXIMS  AND  PEO VERBS. 


(i.  He  Avho  is  wratliful  is  destined  to  all  the 
punishmeut  of  Gehenna.   (Nedarim,  22,  a.) 

7.  He  who  is  wrathful  forgets  his  learning 
and  becomes  more  stupid.   (Ibid.) 


PRIDE  AND  HUMBLENESS. 

— o — 

1,  If  a  wise  man  is  vain,  he  loses  his  wis- 
dom, if  he  is  a  proj)het  he  loses  his  devine  gift. 
{Pesachim,  66,  b.) 

.2  He  who  humbles  himself,  God  elevates 
him,  and  he  who  is  vain,  is  degraded  by  God, 
He  who  seeks  high  station,  loses  the  glorj^  of 
it,  and  he  who  flees  glory,  is  sought  after  by  it. 
(Erubin,  IS,  b.) 

3.  No  man  should  assume  a  title  which  is 
not  fit  for  him.    {Berachoth,  16,  b. ) 

4.  Grandenr  shortens  the  days  of  him  who 
seeks  it.    (Pesachim,  87 ^b.) 


X 


OF  THE  TALMUD. 


5.  He  who  is  vain,  is  as  one  who  denies 
the  Deity,  (^ota,o,a,) 

6.  Pride  is  not  fitting  for  women,   {Megilla, 

7.  A  proud  man  can  not  be  borne,  even  l)y 
his  own  flesh  and  kin.   {Sota,  J^l ^  b.) 

8.  Happy  is  the  generation,  in  which  the 
liigher  chiss  lends  its  ear  to  tlie  sensible  words  of 
the  low^er  class,  for  then  the  lower  class  will  al- 
ways liearken  to  the  higher  class.  ( Hash  Rashana, 
25,  b,) 

9.  Be  exceedingly  humble  in  spirit,  for  the 
end  of  man  is  decay.     (Aboth,  4,  4-) 


FLATTEEY  AND  HYPOCEICY. 

— o — 

1.  Do  not  tell  all  the  good  qualities  of  a 
man  in  his  i)resence,  you  may  do  so  in  his 
absence.     {Eruhhi,  IS,  b,) 

2.  A  flatterer  is  generally  caught  in  the 
trap  of  him  whom  he  flatters.     (Sota^  ^i,  b.) 


•€- 


r n 

54  MAXIMS  AND  PEOVEEBS. 

3.  Tlie  flatterer  brings  wrath  on  tlie  world, 
and  lie  is  hurled  into  Gehenna.      {IhuJ.) 

4.  Let  thy  ^'yea"  bejnst  and  likewise  thy 
''nay",  Do  not  utter  what  thy  heart  does  not 
think.      {Baba  Mezia,  49,  a.) 

5.  TheKingJannai  said  to  his  wife,  ''Have 
no  fear  of  the  saducees  or  the  pharasees,  but 
fear  the  hypocrites  who  perform  all  evil  and 
demand  the  greatest  reward.     (Sota,  22,  b,) 

6.  What  is  meant  by  a  pious  fool  ?  One, 
who  sees  a  drowning  woman  and  refuses  to 
rescue  her,  because  it  is  sinfnl  to  look  upon  a 
naked  female,     {Ibid,  21,  h.) 

7.  It  is  the  duty  of  any  one  to  betray  a 
hypocrite.     (Jinna,  86,  a,) 


ho:n^esty. 

— o — 

1 .  The  first  question  asked  when  the  soul 
appears  before  her  Judge  is :  "Did  you  deal 
honestly?  ".     (Sabbath,  51,  a.) 


X 


OF  THE  TALMUD.  55 

2.  It  is  wrong"  to  cheat  any  one^  even  a 
heathen.      (  (  hvlin.  94,  ci. ) 

8.  Do  not  steal,  even  if  your  i)nip(>se  is 
only  to  tease,      (BabaMezia,  6 J,  b.) 

4.  Eobbery  is  the  giojiUsI  olciines;  IV  r 
the  Del nge  was  bronght  on  because  of  tliat  crime, 
although  tlie  people  committed  many  other 
crimes.      {SanJiecJrin,  10 S,  a.) 

').  He  who  does  not  pay  a  workman  his 
wages  on  time,  steals  his  life,  {Baba  Mezia, 
112,  a.) 

6.  He  who  robs  another^  even  if  the  value 
is  less  than  a  penny,  robs  liis  life.  {Baba  Kama, 
119,  a.) 

7.  Do  not  price  goods  if  you  do  not  intend 
to  buy.      (Pesachhn,  112,  b.) 

8.  Because  of  four  sins  do  men  lose  their 
fortunes  :  not  i)aying  workmen  in  time,  decreas- 
ing their  wages,  taking  no  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  the  communiny,  and  being  vain.   {Succa,  26,  b,) 

9.  Jerusalem  was  destroj-ed  only  because 
her  inhabitants  interpreted  the  aws  according 
to  the  letter,  (din  Tora)   and   not   according  to 


U 


t 


MAXIMS 'AND  PKOVERBS. 


the    spirit,    (lil'iiiiii    iiiisliorulli     luulin;,     {Ilaba 
Mezia,   W,  h,) 

1(1.  A  mail  should  not  evade  the  payiiieut 
of  taxes.     {Baha  Kuma,  Ih'i,  a.) 

11 .  Do  not  keep  a  vicious  dog,  or  a  broken 
step  in  your  house,  that  people  may  not  be  hurt 
thereby.     {KHhiiboth,  ^i,  b.) 

12.  He  who  enters  a  house  unannounced,  is 
hated  by  God.     {Nldda,  16,  b.) 

13.  Be  of  Aaron's  disciples,  peace  loving 
and  peace  persuing,  loving  your  fellow  creatures 
and  attnictiiig  them  to  the  law.     {Aboth,  1,  12,) 

14.  Let  the  honor  of  your  associate  be  as 
dear  to  you  as  your  own  ;  be  not  inclined  to 
anger,  and  repent  one  day  preceding  your  death. 
(fbld,  2,  lo,) 

15.  Let  the  property  of  your  neighbor  be 
as  precious  to  you  as   your   own.     {Ibid,  2,  18,) 

16.  Judge  all  mankind  favorably  and 
receive  all  man  with  a  friendly  mien.  {Ibid,  2.,  15) 

17.  Pray  for  the  peace  of  the  government, 
for  were  it  not  in  reverence  thereof,  men  would 
swallow  each  other  alive.     (i6i</,  3,  2,) 


4 


OF  THE  TALMUD. 


18,     Do  not  unto  olliers    ^\ilat   you    would 
not  liave  otlicis  do  unto  yourself.    {.Sabhaf/i,  S 1,  a. ) 


PROVIDENCE. 

— o — 

1.  Tlie  feet  of  ji  nmn  lead  liiiu  to  the  plaee 
where  lie  is  wanted.     (   ug  a,  5S,  a.) 

2.  Let  the  drunkard  go  ;  he  will  fall  him 
self.      (Sobhath,  S2,  a.) 

;^.  The  good  man  is  saved  from  seven  pits, 
but  the  wieked  man  falls  into  the  first.  {Saii- 
}iP(h'ln,  7.  a .^ 

4.  When  a  sheplieid  is  angiY  with  tlie 
tlock.  he  blinds  the  leader.     (Baha  Kamcfy  53,  a.) 

5.  When  the  sheplierd  is  lame,  the  flock 
runs  away  ;  but  at  the  door  of  the  stall,  the 
sheep  receive  their  puaisliment.   {Sahbafh^  32,  a.) 

(x  Lven  the  smallest  accident  does  not 
happen  unhss  it  is  the  will  of  providence, 
(Chulln^  7,  b.) 


t 


4 


t"^ -t 

58  MAXIMS  AND  PROVERBS. 

7.     Man   dees  not  know  when   God  helps 
him.      (Yuma,  28,  a,) 


WEALTH  AND  POVERTY. 
— o — 

1.  Who  is  rich  ?  He  who  enjoys  his  wealth. 
(SaMath,  24,  b.) 

2.  Who  is  rich?  He  who  is  contented  with 
his  lot.      (Abath,  4.,  1,) 

3.  A  destitute  man  is  like  one  who  is  dead. 
{Nedarim,  64.,) 

4.  There  is  no  i^overty  except  in  knowledge. 
{Nedarim,  4^,  a.) 

5.  If  one  tells  you  that  your  acquaintance 
is  dead,  believe  him,  if,  however  you  are  told 
that  he  has  become  rich,  doubt  it.  {Gittin,  30,  b) 

6.  Money  purifies  all  baseness,  (Kidushon^ 
71,  a. 

7.  The  spiritual  head  of  a  comunity  should 
be  aided  materially  and  elevated  to  a  higher  pos- 
ition than  the  others.     (Horajofh,  9,  a.) 


OF  THE  Ti^LMUD.  59 

8.  What  should  a  man  do  to  enrich  his 
children  ?  Let  him  fulfil  the  wishes  of  Heaven 
and  those  of  his  wife     ( Tr.  Kola.) 

9.  Eich  men  are  niggardly.  (MenacJtofJi, 
86,  a.) 

10.  Xo  one  is  richer  than  a  swine,  no  one 
poorer  than  a  dog,     (jSabbath,  115,  />,) 


EIGHTEOUSXE8S. 
— o — 

1.  The  righteous  promise  little  and 
accomplish  much,  while  the  wicked  promise 
much  and  perform  nothing.   (Baba  Mfzia,  87\  a,) 

2.  Through  a  good  man  all  good  is  caused, 
and  through  a  wieked  man,  misfortune. 
(Sabbath,  32,  a.) 

3.  Virtuous  people  live  even  in  death  ; 
vicious  peoi)le  are  dead  even  in  life.  (Berachof/i, 
18,  b. ) 

4.  Virtuous    people   do   not   require    the 


r 

(U)  MAXIMS  A^D  PROVERBS. 


(Miction  of  throat  inojininents,  IImmt  <!:<k)(1  <]<^(m!s 
arr*  tlirir  inoiiiiiiKMits.      { ^^Jickallvi,  4,  b.) 

5.  Even  it';i  man  should  hiivo  been  ungod- 
ly all  his  life,  yet  if  lie  repent  at  last,  lie  will  he 
counted  \i  truly  righteous  man.  {Kithlushln, 
40,  Ik) 

().  Rightuous  men  are  more  importand 
aftei'deatii  than   luring  life.      {(  Juilin,  7,  h.) 

7.  One  should  rather  he  ann)ng  the 
persecuted  than  among  the  i>ei-sccutors.  (Jhiha 
KdUKt,  OS.  a.  ) 

S.  Ilapi)y  is  tlie  man  who  heai'S  and  is 
silent  :  he  shall  be  rid  of  hundred  of  annoyances. 
(  >(rnhr(lrin  ,7,  (/.) 

9.  A  comunity  can  exist  oidy  thi'ongh 
such  as  are  able  to  I'estrain  themselvs  in    strife. 

lv>.  Jerusalem  was  lUstroyed  only  thi'ougli 
its     sham-faced    inhabitants.      {Sahbafh^  JL9,  b,) 

11.  He  \\ho  s'.ns  and  is  ashamed  is  for- 
given \)\  God.      {  I>fi((c/i<)th.  12.  I),) 

12.  DiKbetMt  iiiess  is  worth  four  hundred 
giilden.      {1  fid.  -20,  <i .) 

\\\.     Oneshould   always   be    as  the  bcndinii' 

U ^ ^4 


r -1: 

OF  THE  TALMUD.  (U 

reed,  aud  not  as  the  firm  cedar.    (Taanith,  21,  b.) 
14.     Everything  is  in   God's   hand  except 
piety,    which  is  in  the  will  of  man.   (BeracJwth, 
SS,  b.) 


HONOE. 

— o — 

1.  So  important  is  the  honor  of  man 
tliat  it  is  even  permitted  to  transgress  a  Biblical 
prohibition  to  sustain  it,    (Berachoth,  19,  b.) 

2.  It  is  not  rhe  place  that  honors  the  man, 
bnt  the  man  that  adds  lustre  to  the  place. 
(Taanith,  21,  b.) 

3.  Who  is  honored  1  he  that  honors  his 
fellow-man.  (Aboth,  4-,  1,) 

4.  Let  the  honor  of  yonr  disciple  be  as 
dear  to  you  as  your  own,  and  the  honor  of  yonr 
associate  as  your  reverence  for  your  master,  and 
yonr  reverence  for  your  master  like  the  awe  of 
heaven,  [Ibid,  4,  15.) 

').  Hold  strangers  in  suspicion  as  robbers, 
and  honor  them   like   Rabbis,  (Derech  Eretz,  5,) 


X* 


r 


62  MAXIMS  AND  PROVERBS. 

DILIGENCE. 
— o— 

3.  Idleness  brings  to  insanity.  (Ketuboth, 
o9,  b,) 

2,  If  the  housekeeper  sleeps,  the  basket 
becomes  empty.   {Sanhedrin,  7,  a,) 

8,  When  your  five  bhizes,  dig  up  your 
potatoes  and  roast  them.    (Ibid,  33,  a.) 

4.  He  who  prepared  on  Sabbath  eve.  will 
eat  on  Sabbath.  (Aboda  Zara,  3,  a.) 

5.  Every  man  has  his  fortune  in  his  own 
hands.   (Jerushahni,  Peya,) 


ADVICE. 

— o — 

1.  When  children  say  to  you,  ^'Build, 
and  old  people  say  to  you,  ^'Destroy'- give  ear 
unto  the  elders,  for  the  Building  of  children  is 
destruction,  and  the  destruction  of  elders  is 
building,    {Nedarim,  ^0,  «• ) 

•i.  Bad  servants  ask  advise  aftei-  they  have 
done  the  act.   (Baba  Bathra,  4?  «.) 


4^ 


OF  THE  TALMUD.  68 


3.     Do  not  ask  the  aged  for  reasons  ;  do  not 
ask  children  for  advice.  {Sabbath,  S9,  b.) 


LEADER  AND  C0:MMUN1TY. 

— o — 

1.  The  leaders  of  your  age  are  as  iinpoitant 
as  the  leadei  s  ot  previous  generations.  {Bosh 
Hashana,  25,  a.) 

2.  When  the  fox   is   king    bow    to    him. 

(MegiUa,   16,   b,)  See  Note  .-i. 

3.  Do  not  make  a  leader  of  a  community 
without  consulting  the  entire  community. 
(Bcrachoth,  55^  a.) 

4.  No  law  should  be  made  for  a  community 
unless  it    can  be    endured.   {Baba  Kama,  79^  b.) 

All  those  who  are  eniraged  in  the  service 


''), 


»"&* 


of  the  congregation  should  act  only  for  the  glory 
of  God.   {Aboth,  22,) 

6.  If  a  peasant  becomes  King,  he  does  not 
abandon  his  basket.  (Wlien  a  man  of  low  stiition 
becomes  elevated,  liis  former  [losition  is  easily 
recognizable,  {Megilla,  7,  b,) 


t 


r 


04  MAXIMS  AND  PKOVERBS. 

7.  All  igiioriint  leaps  always  to  the  Tront. 
{Ibid,  12,  b,) 

8.  When  Israel  is  iu  misery  and  one  of 
their  own  nnniber  wants  to  leave  them,  t^vo 
angles  come  and,  putting  their  hands  on  liis 
head,  say,  He  who  separates  himself  from  tlie 
community,  will  not  see  itsjoyl.  {Taanith,  11,  a.) 

9.  It  is  written  in  the  Script  {E\t.  xviii,  12) 
"Moses'  hands  were  heav^y  ;  and  they  took  a 
stone,  and  they  put  it  under  him,  and  he  sat 
thereon"  Did  not  Moses  have  a  cushion  or  a 
cloth  on  which  to  sit?  But  Moses  said  ^'Israel  is 
now  in  suffering,  so  I,  too,  will  suffer."  He  who 
joins  in  the  suffering  of  the  community,  will  be 
rewarded  with  the  happiness  of  the  community. 
{Ibirl ) 

ISRAEL. 
— o — 
1.  The  people  of  Israel  are  compared  in 
the  holy  Script  to  the  stars  and  to  the  dust, 
Wlien  they  are  elevated,  they  reach  the  stars, 
when  they  are  degraded,  they  mingle  with  the 
dust.   {Mffjilla,  16,  a.) 


X* 


r 


OF  THE  TALMUD.  65 

2.  Israel  is  comi)arecl  to  an  olive,  (Jeremiah, 
xi,  16.)  For  even  as  an  olive  does   not  give  up 
its  oil  without  pressure,  so  Israel   does   not  be- 
come bett-^red  in  religion  except  through   perse- 
cution.  (Menachoth,  5^,  b.) 

3.  God  does  not  punish  Israel  unless  he 
furnishes    the   remedy     before     the     ailment. 

(  Meg  ilia,    J  3,   b.)  See  Note  6. 

4.  Proselytes  are  to  Judaism  as  an  ex- 
crescence to  a  body.    (  Yebamoth,  4.7,  a.  ) 

5.  God  prohibited  the  Jews  from  stirring 
up  strife  in  the  nations  among  whom  they  dwell 
and  from  regaining  Palestine  by  force. 
(Kethuboth,  111,  a,) 

6.  God  conferred  a  most  gracious  fjxvor  on 
the  Israelites  by  scattering  them  among  different 
nations.  {Pesachim,  87,  b.)         see  Note 7. 

>^ 

MISCELLANEOUS. 
— o — 

1.  Whether  a  fruit  will  grow  well  can  be 
foretold  in  the  bloom.     (Berachoth,  4.8,  a,) 

2.  Hang  food  on  the  swine's  neck,  he  will 
do  as  he  is  accustomed  to.     [Ibid,  4^,   b,) 

3.  A  prosecutor  cannot  be  a  defender. 
(Ibid,  59,   b,) 

4.  A  captive  cannot  set  himself  free. 
(Ibid,  5,  &.) 


t 


66  MAXIMS  A:NrD  PROVEEBS. 

5.  Chew  well  and  you  will  find  it  in  your 
feet.     (Sabbath,  152,  a,) 

6.  Two  is  better  than    three — two  feet    in 
the  youth,  three  in  old  age.  — {Ibid. ) 

7.  An   ass  is  cold  even  in  the  sii miner. 
(Ibid,  63,  a,) 

8.  A  fool  feels  nothing.      (Ibid,  IS,  b,) 

9.  If  a  dog  barks  at  you  go  into  the  house, 
if  a  lion  growls,  flee.     (Eriibin,  86,  b,) 

10.  A  dog    in    a  sti-ange  place  does    not 
bark  seven  years.      (Ibid,  61  a,) 

11.  A  filer  is  killed  by  his  own  file. 

12.  Music  that  is  loved  by  educated  peoi^le 
is  despised  by  the  ignorant.     {Yuma,  20,  a.) 

13.  If  speech  is  worth  one  dollar  silence  is 
worth  two.      (Mpgilla,  18,  a.) 

14.  The  goose  goes  with  bent  head,  but  its 
glance  reaches  in  all  sides.     (Ibid,  lJ,j  b.) 

In.    Not  the  mouse  but  the  hole  is  the  thief. 
{Kidushin,  56,  b.) 

16.  \yhen   one  reproaches  another  he  re- 
bukes him  with  his  own  fault.     (Ibid,  70,  a.) 

17.  Do   not   throw  dirt   in  the   well  from 
which  you  drink.     {Baba  Kama,  91,  b.'^ 

18.  The  lord  gives  the  wine,   but  the  ser- 
vant receives  thanks.      (Ibid.) 

19.  Money  is  the  best  broker.  {Ibid,  68, b, ) 

20.  A  free  doctor  has  no  value.   (Ibid, 85, a,) 


X 


U- 


OF  THE  TALMUD.  67 

21.  The   more  iiigeuioiis   one  is  tlie  more 
mistakes  lie  makes.      ( Baba  Mezia,  96,  b .) 

22.  One  coin  in  a  box  rattles  loud.     (Ibid, 
85,  b.) 

23.  Envy  of  learned  men  increases  wisdom. 
{Baha  Bathra.  21,  a.) 

24.  The  debtor  is  a    slave  to  the  creditor. 
(Ibid,  171,  a,) 

25.  When  the   thief  loses  his  ciaft  he  be= 
comes  ]3ious.      (SanJiedrin,  22,  a.) 

26.  A  camel  wanted  horns  anc^  his  ear  was 
cut  off.     [Ibid,  106,  a.) 

27«  One     who   adds,   diminishes,       (Ibid, 
29,  a,) 

28.  Many  old  asses  wear  the  skin   of  the 
young.  {Ibid,  52,  a.) 

29.  Smash  the  scull   of  the  best  serpent. 
(Foshi,  Ex.  74.) 

30.  AYalls  have  ears.    {Wagal-ra  Baba,  32,) 


NOTES. 

1.  The  Talmud  Jeru?;lialui)  relates  tlie  following  instances-  A  man 
gave  his  fath'^r  broiled  doves  to  eat.  The  father  asked  his  son  where  lie 
obtained  such  rich  food,  and  the  son  replied:  "Eat  old  man,  it  is  none 
of  your  business."  Another  man  was  very  poor  and  had  not  enough  t'^ 
sustain  his  father,  so  he  asked  him  t)  help  him  in  the  mill,  and  showed 
him  great  respect. 

2.  In  Ta'mnd  (.Ve(ZaHm  40,  f(.)  is  related  that  one  of  Rabbi  Akiba's 
pupils    once    became   ill;    the  teacher  visited  him,  and  not  finding  any 


i 


t 


(>S  NOTES. 


aft(;iiilaiit,  lie  i  iiiiaiiiiMl  with  him,  scrubbed  the  floor,  and,  in  fact,  did 
cverytbiDfj,  to  make  thi-  sick  man  conifiTtabh',  until  lie  Ijecame  con- 
valescent. The  invalid  said  to  llabbl  Akibu  "llabbi,  you  have  gi^t'n 
me  new  life"  Rabbi  Akiba  afterward  publicly  preached  that  he  who 
does  not  visit  a  sick  person  is  a  spillerof  blood. 

3.  Tradition  tells  us  the  following;  Rabbi  Nachum,  of  Gimzo,  once 
journeyed  to  visit  his  wife's  parents,  an  1  he  tjok  with  him  three  asses 
laden  with  provisions  and  articles  of  value.  A  poor  man  aiiproached  him 
and  betjged  a  piece  of  breal,  ani  JTachum  said  to  liim;  "Wait  a  minute 
until  I  unload  my  ass",  but  before  he  finished  the  task  the  poor  man  fell 
dead.  As  soon  as  Nachum  saw  this  he  threw  liiniself  upon  the  dead  body 
and  cried  out:  "The  eyes  that  not  pity  you  shall  became  blind,  my  wh'de 
body  shall  become  covered  with  sores  and  wounds."  The  scholars  ex- 
claimed: "Woe  is  us  that  we  see  you  in  such  a  terrible  stat<',"  but 
Nachum  answered:  "Woe  would  be  unto  me  if  you  did  not  see  me  in  such 
a  terrible  state.     (  Tamnillu  21,  «.) 

4.  Hillel,  the  patriarch,  once  bni;'it  for  a  poor  man  who  was  de- 
cendedof  a  rich  and  reputable  family  a  lurse  to  ride,  and  daily  engaged  a 
servant  to  attend  him.  One  day  he  could  get  no  one  to  perform  that 
service,  so  he  acted  as  attendant  himself  and  followed  him  four  miles. 
(KctlmboUi,  67,  b.) 

5.  One  month  in  the  year,  so  the  fable  has  it,  the  fox  is  king  overall 
animals,  and  all  acknowledge  him,  though  he  is  the  weakest.  The 
moral  is  th  it  wh  mi  ons  is  elev.itel  to  office  from  nj  matter  how  Iowa 
station,  he  must  be  respected. 

fi.  Many  facts  in  the  history  of  the  world  prove  this.  The  most  im- 
l)ortant  (jf  these  facts  is  ihat  in  the  same  year  that  Jews  were  driven  by 
Ferdinand  and  Isabella,  America  was  discovered  by  Columbus,  who  was 
assisted  by  Isabella.  To  this  day  Ame  ica  serves  as  an  asylum  for  Jews 
who  are  persecuted  in  the  Ian  1  of  their  birth. 

7.  So  that  the  Jews  might  spread  the  truth  of  the  Unity  of  God 
through  the  whole  world,  and  if  they  would  be  persecuted  in  one  country 
their  brethern  in  another  country  may  be  able  to  help  them  in  their 
<listress. 


4 


-C  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARV  FACiLiTf 


B     000  003  064     3 


Si^ 


>   % 


y'}i 


